News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-09-22
THE PRETTY TYPEWRITER.
Compelled to Stand a Battery of
Pitiless Questions.
From the New York Tribune.1

[From the New York Tribune1
81 should like to give you an idea OF
how we girls are treated whenever we
go to look for boarding places in this
city, said young typewriter to 1rj-
6une reporter the other day. "You men
cansobtain board wherever you please,
and SO long as you pay your board bills
and behave yourselves, there are no
questions asked; but with girl it is diff
ferent. When I came to New York, L
was fresh from New England, unknown
and without friends here to give me any
help or hints. Consequently [ had to
hunt up boarding place for myself.
After considerable looking around, l
found quiet-appearing house where the
sign stated that hall room was vacant
and that boardels were wanted.
SIN answer to Hly ring a kindly-look-
ing matron IfssiS9Sselmy business. When
L told her that [ was looking for a board
ing-place, visible change came over
her face.
"'Who are you 2 was her somewhat
abrupt question. Then she scanned me
as if / were suspected thief, for whose
capture q reward had been offered, and
without giving me time to answer this
impertinent question, she continued:
care you married.
No, am not, L said MS pleasantly
as my modification would allow.
what do you expect to do for liv-
ing? was her next query.
1" 4 am typewriter.
"a typewriter This was said with
q sneer that might mean volumes.
Have You brother in the city or
any male friend who will call on you?'
No, my family all live in Connect
cut
DO you keep company with any
young MANI Really [ was beginning
to lose all patience, but L managed to
say calmly: 4 do not; but what has
that to do with the question of my hiring
room and paying for it in advance?'
Have you got any references %
81 don't see why [ submitted to SO
much quizzing. That woman could
beat a reporter asking questions. NO,
[ replied, but if you want them [ sup
pose I could get them from home in two
or three days
We'll, I guess we haven't any room
now, and besides, I'd rather have gen
tlemen, was the worthy matrons decis-
ion, as she opened the front door only
to shut it quickly behind me. I think 1
went to fully dozen places, only to be
treated in the same way. At last went
to the Young Woman's Christian Asso-
citation, where I should have gone first.
I never was more thankful in my life
than when, after 1 had been at work for
a year and desired to change my place,
one of the girls in our office invited me
to share her room until L was able to
find another place. This may sound
funny to you, but it was not funny eX-
perience for me; and my experience is
by no means unusual. A man may get
rooms and board where he chooses,
without references and without ques-
tions, but when girl tries to get board
for herself, if she is we'll dressed, her
character is doubted, and there is mo
room for her; people wonder where she
gets her mepey.If she is poorly dress
ed she, is ,natnrallv not wanted, because
house. She must, in self defence, mar
ry, or at least become engaged, if she
have no male relative under whose pro-
lection she is. 1t does seem as if some
thing might be done for poor girls who
come to the city in this way. There
ought to be somebody willing to take
them and care for them respectfully and
economically, and do this without sacri-
ficing the self respect of the girl"